Museum of Toronto

Museum of Toronto This is Toronto's city museum. bit.ly/m/MuseumofToronto

08/29/2026

Kensington Market is now an area known for its artists, freedom of expression, and local business, but in early 1985, it was the site of the Patty Wars. The Federal Government began to fear that people might confuse Jamaican Patties with the good’ol Canadian beer patties and they tried to force sellers of the Jamaican snack to change its name. The owners of the Kensington Patty Palace said “no” and took up the fight. The Patty Wars were front page news and the Jamaican consulate got involved. (Oh yeah, they did). And the Government backed down.

Today, the craziness of the Patty Wars are unofficially remembered on Patty Day, February 23rd.

At first glance, this small bottle of “Nerve Remedy” might look like an ordinary piece of medical history. But in The T....
08/27/2026

At first glance, this small bottle of “Nerve Remedy” might look like an ordinary piece of medical history. But in The T.O. You Don’t Know, it helps tell a much darker Toronto story.

From 1880 to 1969, the Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Females imprisoned women deemed “morally” or “socially” unacceptable—including s*x workers, unmarried mothers, women in in*******al relationships, and women with mental health issues and illnesses.

Inside Mercer, inmates experienced abuse and were subjected to medical experiments under the guise of treatment. More than 20,000 women passed through the institution before it finally closed.
The Rexall Nerve Remedy bottle, dating from approximately 1900–1930, is displayed alongside electrodes from the 1930s–1950s, offering a glimpse into the medical practices of the period and a difficult chapter in Toronto’s history.
See these objects and discover more than 50 stories from across the city in The T.O. You Don’t Know at Museum of Toronto - 401 Richmond St. W.

Objects from the collection of the Canadian Museum of Health Care.

What’s one Toronto place you wish still existed? 👀Maybe it was the store you visited every weekend, a neighbourhood hang...
08/25/2026

What’s one Toronto place you wish still existed? 👀

Maybe it was the store you visited every weekend, a neighbourhood hangout everyone knew, a restaurant your family always went to, or a Toronto landmark you still miss every time you pass where it used to be.

Places change and disappear, but the memories we make in them become part of Toronto’s story.
Tell us yours in the comments ↓

Have a bigger Toronto story to share? We want to hear that too. Submit your story through the link in our bio for a chance to be featured on Museum of Toronto’s socials.

At Museum of Toronto, we believe the city's history isn't just found in archives—it's also found in the memories of the people who call it home. Share your story, and it could be featured on our Socials.

📍Submit your story through the link in our bio.

📷 Images courtesy of Toronto Public Library Digital Archive.

08/22/2026

How do you find a lost subway station? Easy, just head to Bay Station and you’ll be right above it.

The Lost Subway Station, that ironically you’ve now found, was opened in 1966 and closed in 1966. It’s appeared in a lot of movies, so maybe it’s not so lost after all.

The CNE is back this week! 🎡For nearly 150 years, the Canadian National Exhibition has been a Toronto summer tradition—b...
08/20/2026

The CNE is back this week! 🎡

For nearly 150 years, the Canadian National Exhibition has been a Toronto summer tradition—but how much do you know about its history?

The T.O. You Don’t Know uncovers more than 50 hidden histories, overlooked stories, and surprising moments from across Toronto. Among them is the story of the CNE, brought to life through artifacts and stories from the CNE Archives.

As the Ex opens for another summer, come discover its place in Toronto’s history—and plenty of other stories about the city you thought you knew.

📍 Museum of Toronto, 401 Richmond St. W.
🎟️ Free admission

08/18/2026

Did you know the religious tiles on homes throughout Little Portugal tell a story?

These azulejo tiles are more than decoration—they're clues to a family's heritage. A depiction of Christ with a Crown of Thorns often points to Azorean roots, while Saint Anthony is commonly associated with families from mainland Portugal.

They also served another remarkable purpose. Parents would tell children who got lost to "look for the tiles, knock on the door, and someone will help you." The tiles became symbols of community, belonging, and neighbours looking out for one another.

Visit Little Portugal and see how many of these hidden stories you can spot. Then continue your journey at The T.O. You Don't Know at Museum of Toronto, where you'll discover 50+ more surprising stories that reveal a different side of the city.
📍 Museum of Toronto (Free admission)

Share a secret, wish, or heartfelt message with the feathered friends that call our garden and ravine home.Created by Mu...
08/13/2026

Share a secret, wish, or heartfelt message with the feathered friends that call our garden and ravine home.

Created by Museum of Toronto for Toronto Botanical Garden, this interactive installation invites you to send a message—a thought, question, memory, or quiet reflection—to the birds.

Over the course of the summer, these notes will capture the many ways we connect with one another and with the city's green spaces, highlighting the relationship between urban life, nature, and wildlife.

08/09/2026

Every object has a story. Some change how you see Toronto forever. 👀

Join Assistant Curator Ethelle White as she shares one of the fascinating stories behind The T.O. You Don't Know.

Discover 50+ hidden Toronto stories through artifacts, photographs, immersive experiences, and surprising moments from the city's past.

📍 Museum of Toronto
🎟️ Free admission
📅 Open until December 30

Every Torontonian has a story. We want to hear yours. 😀Maybe it's the corner store you grew up visiting. A neighbourhood...
08/05/2026

Every Torontonian has a story. We want to hear yours. 😀

Maybe it's the corner store you grew up visiting. A neighbourhood tradition. A hidden spot only locals know. Or a moment that changed the way you see the city.

At Museum of Toronto, we believe the city's history isn't just found in archives—it's also found in the memories of the people who call it home. We're launching My Toronto, a community storytelling series celebrating the people and places that make this city unique.

Share your story, and it could be featured on our Socials.

📍Submit your story through the link in our bio.

08/02/2026

🦝 Did you know Toronto wasn't always the raccoon capital of the world?

A century ago, spotting a raccoon was so unusual it made the news. Today, there could be as many as 100,000 living across the city.

We share one surprising Toronto story like this every month. Subscribe to our free newsletter and discover the hidden history of the city, one story at a time.

🔗 Sign up at the link in our bio.

Address

401 Richmond West LL01
Toronto, ON
M5V3A8

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 6pm
Thursday 12pm - 6pm
Friday 12pm - 6pm
Saturday 12pm - 6pm

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